December 12, 2012 Wednesday Packet

Date: Wednesday – December 12, 2012

Important Messages from The Cottage School are attached. Please sign this form indicating their receipt and return to the school

with your student tomorrow. Thank You!!

Parent Signature________________________________________

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December 12, 2012

Wednesday Packet

Important Dates/Information

MS Play - The Adventures of Nate the Great – Thursday, December 13th, 1:45 PM in RCC HS Half Day Exams – December 17th-19th – Dismissal each day at Noon (HS Only)

MS Only Teacher Work Day – Wednesday, December 19th – No School for MS All School Teacher Work Day – Thursday, December 20th – No School

Winter Break – December 21st-January 4th Second Semester Begins - January 7, 2013

HOMECOMING 2013 – Saturday, January 19th – Festivities begin 1:00 PM

DUE NO LATER THAN Tuesday, December 18th

January LUNCH MENU SELECTIONS

FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

January session begins January 7th after the long Winter Break

The Lunch Menu and ASP forms are

available at the following link: http://cottageschool.org/school/?page_id=177

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Last week the high school program hosted several meetings for eighth grade parents to visit the high school, ask questions and begin to familiarize themselves with the upcoming transition. December may seem a tad early, but, believe me, March, when re-enrollment contracts are distributed, is right around the corner! In previous years, we assumed our middle school parents knew how the high school worked and how similar the two programs are, but we were wrong! We now realize that it is enough to keep track of your own children, (often in different schools), your family life, professional responsibilities and personal needs. What goes on in another program just may not be on your radar! So, in the last few years, we have offered several opportunities for our middle school parents and students to learn more about “life after middle school” at TCS. Transitions are often as difficult for us as they are for our teens. Since the move from eighth grade to ninth grade is routine, it is easy to overlook the need to inform and allow our families to explore their next step on a more leisurely basis. Over the years we have also added more partnering between the two programs that make the move to high school less mysterious. Once the Media Center was completed, the middle school students could come on a daily basis for research and instruction, making the high school portion of the campus less intimidating. Our recent decision to allow high school and middle school faculty to share instructional experiences has also enabled our middle school students to experience a more seamless shift to the “next step”. The new instructional model also allowed our high school staff to become acquainted with the learning styles of our middle school students and be better prepared for their arrival as ninth graders. On Monday we were all treated to a performance by our chorus, a lovely blend of HS and MS voices, and two one act plays by the HS drama class. First, we love that our kids both have and take advantage of the opportunity to perform in public. As one of the senior actors relayed to me the day after the play when I asked if he enjoyed his evening in the spotlight, “No, not until I got on stage. Before the play, I didn’t want to do it, but once I was on stage, I didn’t want to stop!” We do not expect our students to become professional performers, but the experience of taking that risk, sharing your talent and enjoying the attention is one every child should have. It is entirely our pleasure to provide that opportunity! As we complete this first semester and are in the throes of gifting season, it becomes important to remind our families of our tradition here at TCS. Holiday traditions are wonderful, but they can become very expensive and stressful. We have a very diverse community and want to be respectful of our families’ economic and cultural values. Most schools do not structure holiday gift giving, resulting in some unintended negative consequences which are perpetuated each year. Your PAC has included a full description of the TCS gift giving culture in this packet. Please read it carefully. If you would like to discuss this more, please contact me and I will be glad to plan some time for the conversation. The greatest gift you give us is the opportunity to work with your children. That is an honor and a privilege that we are thankful for every day!

December 12, 2012

Jacque’s Note

Holiday Message about Gift Giving at TCS

You cannot go anywhere in Atlanta today without being bombarded with ideas for gifts for

the people in your life. This is a season of blessings and celebration, but it can feel like a

marathon shopping trip to fulfill the expectations of holiday giving. Guess what…we do it

differently here at TCS. First, the greatest gift you could give us is already in place. You have

shared your teen with us, and we are thrilled!! There are no words to describe the joy we

experience with every victory, accomplishment and growth. Second, there are enough costs

associated with raising children these days. Adding another set of gifts to buy when the funds

could be used for something much more permanent and meaningful, seems a waste. Third, gift

giving, although universally assumed to be a positive thing, can have some very unexpected and

unintentional consequences. If there is an inequity in the system or a competition around who

gives what to whom, the morale of the setting is deeply affected. Those of you who have been

in schools or other settings where there was no structure to the gift giving process, have seen

some teachers fill their car with gifts and others carry out only their keys as they leave for

vacation. Whether we admit it or not, random gift giving is fraught with the potential for

anxiety, misperception and hurt feelings, on the part of both the givers and the recipients.

All of the staff members here share the role of providing the very best setting your teen can

enjoy. In order to acknowledge that fact and stay within the parameters of the holiday season,

a portion of your PAC dues (included in your tuition) goes to buy gift cards for every TCS staff

member. Your treasurer will distribute the gift cards before the holidays with a greeting that

comes from each of you. We thank you, in advance, for such a useful and timely gift!! Since the

funds for the gift come from your dues, there is nothing out of pocket (whew!) and you can rest

assured that every staff member will find joy in selecting their treats!

We have carefully crafted a tradition that protects our parents and our staff from unnecessary

expense, financially and emotionally. Enjoy this reprieve and save your energy and your money

for special times with your beloved family! We also encourage those of you who have the

school in your “gift” budget, to contribute that amount to the PAC for this specific purpose.

Your PAC treasurer will be glad to add your donation to the staff holiday fund.

Please be respectful of this practice. If you must offer something, send in some cookies that

you and your teen baked to share with all the teachers. OR have your teen send a heartfelt

note to a teacher. Believe me, those notes mean the world and are treasured for life! To us,

this holiday is a celebration of loving relationships and is enriched by the quality of the time we

spend together, not the quality of what we give or get.

Thank you for all that you do to enhance the TCS experience!

Limited Edition Greeting Cards

“River of Painted Rocks” by local artist Nita Burge

Commissioned by

First Landmark Bank

Great Gifts!

Available from Donna or Sandy

100% of the proceeds benefit

the First Landmark Bank Employees’ fundraising efforts for

The Cottage School

$10 for 12 Cards (Inside Blank) Suitable for framing (Includes 12 cards, 12 envelopes and gift box)

Make checks payable to “The Cottage School”

Spirit T-shirts Available immediately

$15.00 each

Tear it up Cougars

Get your shirt and show your spirit!!!

Great for Payoffs and Sports Events

Name _________________________

T-shirt size ____________________

Quantity _______________________

Available in Adult Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large

100% Cotton T-shirts

See Julie in the Middle School------See Wilfrid in the High School

Got Basketball Fever Over The Winter Break?

What: The Cottage School Varsity Cougars will be playing in a

3-day tournament at the Furtah Preparatory School Christmas Classic.

When: December 20th through December 22nd.

Where: Furtah Preparatory School

5496 Highway 92 • Acworth, GA

Phone (678) 574-6488

www.furtahprep.org

*Come to support the varsity boy’s

basketball team. Go Cougars!

Tournament Schedule below:

Thursday Dec. 20th 5:00pm-- Johnson Ferry vs Cottage School (Boys)

6:30pm-- Augusta vs Bethesda Christian (Boys)

Friday Dec. 21st 2:00pm-- Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (Boys)

3:30pm-- Atl. Girls School vs. Dawson St. (Girls)

5:00pm-- Winner Game 2 vs Dawson St. (Boys)

6:30pm-- Shiloh Hills vs. Furtah Prep (Girls)

8:00pm-- Winner Game 1 vs Furtah Prep (Boys)

Saturday Dec.22nd 11:00am-- Loser Game 3 vs Loser Game 4 (Boys)

12:30pm-- Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2 (Girls) 3rd Place Game

2:00pm-- Loser Game 5 vs Loser Game 6 (Boys) 5th Place Game

3:30pm-- Winner Game 5 vs Winner Game 6 (Boys) 3rd Place Game

5:00pm-- Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2 (Girls) CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

6:30pm-- Winner Game 3 vs Winner Game 4 (Boys) CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

*Tickets are $6.00 per adult and $4.00 per student. *Adult 3-day ticket price = $15.00. Student 3-day ticket price = $10.00

MS Girls Basketball vs. Swift School 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM

MS Boys Basketball vs. Swift School 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

JV Basketball vs. Greater Gwinnett 3:00 PM- 4:15 PM

VW Basketball vs. Greater Gwinnett 4:30 PM- 6:00 PM

VM Basketball vs. Greater Gwinnett 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM

Alumni vs. Staff Ultimate Court Challenge VIII 8:00 PM- 9:00 PM

Monday- Sports Team Day

Wear your jersey/hat to support your favorite team.

Tuesday- Dress for Success Day

Come dressed in your best work attire.

Wednesday- Decades Day

Come dressed from your favorite decade. (50’s, 60’s, 70’s..)

Thursday- Superhero or Villain Day

Come dressed like your favorite superhero OR villain.

Friday- Purple/White and Jeans Day

Wear your Cougar gear to show your school spirit.

(Jeans can only be worn if you are in school colors!)

*All dress should be in the spirit of the week, but still ‘work place’ or

school appropriate. If you have any questions or concerns about a

clothing choice, please check with your principal.*

MS December Activities

DATE TIME Activity RAIN-

OUT

TCS$ Things to bring

Thursday

12/13

1:45 Middle School Drama

Presents:

“The Adventures of

Nate the Great”

1:45 in the RCC

Parents welcome!

Friday

12/14

Clubs

$156.40

Club Materials

Friday

12/14

Academics $165.60 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an

independent reading book if you

complete your work early.

*Make sure you have all savings checks turned into Lauren before you leave for break!*

12/19 Middle School

Teacher Work Day

NO SCHOOL

12/20 All School

Teacher Work Day

NO SCHOOL

12/21-1/4 Winter Holiday

NO SCHOOL

Have a Fabulous Winter Break!!

High School December

Date Time December Rain out TCS $ Things to bring/US$

Friday

12/14

Academics

8:15

10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Levels

Academics

Lunch

Academics

Homeroom

$336.89

Academic material to

complete work and spare

reading materials, if you

will be in academics all day!

Off-Campus 10:00-

2:40

2:40

Cooler (roller skating

and basketball)

Homeroom

$326.03

Jeans to change into, and

money for food and games

to play

On-Campus 10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Wreath Making

Lunch

Holiday Ornaments

with Movie

Homeroom

$315.16

Saturday

12/15

7:59-12:00

12:00-3:30

Saturday School For students who owe

hours

All textbooks, notebooks,

planner, lunch and a change of

clothes for P.M. work detail

Monday,

Tuesday,

Wednesday 12/17-12/19

8:00

12:00

HS EXAMS Early dismissal for

Exam days!!!

Pencils, pens, calculator and

all other necessary items

needed for exams

Thursday

12/20 No school - Teacher

work day

*Don’t forget 12:00 dismissal for exam days.

Make ride arrangements!

Enjoy the break: December 20th

to January 6th

! See you on January 7

th.

ATTENTION HS Parents and Students: In an effort to help our teenagers learn the concept of Sick/Personal Leave in the work place, we have a system that tracks their attendance hours as if they were on the job. Each student earns 8 hours (1 day) every 4 weeks and can use or accumulate up to 32 hours (4 days) per semester. If they are absent more than their allotted hours, they make them up. If they save the hours, they can cash them in for days off during exams- like we save days for vacation at work. Please check accumulated/negative attendance hours with your student, and verify with their homeroom teacher during weekly calls. Students who have saved hours are eligible to take early exams and buy-off their exam days for an extended break! Students who are eligible to buy off exam days will bring home an Exam Buy-off Form with their positive hours listed and they will need your signature to be able to take advantage of this privilege. If your student has negative hours, it is imperative that they make-up negative hours prior to Saturday School on December 15, 2012. If they fail to do so, they will have to attend Saturday School. Students who owe hours and who do not attend Saturday School will be suspended for the three days following December 15th per our school policy. This means that suspended students will miss all three days of exams and will receive a ‘0’ for those exams. For students who owe hours, they may come in early from 7 to 8 A.M. or stay after school from 3 to 4 P.M. We strongly encourage them to make up their hours daily, so they can avoid Saturday School all together!

Thank you,

Fall Semester 2012 H.S. Exam Schedule

Exam Schedule Wednesday 12/12 1:15 - 2:40 6th period exam Thursday 12/13 1:15 - 2:40 7th period exam

8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom

8:20 - 9:50 1st period exam Monday 12/17 9:55 - 10:10 Break

10:15 - 11:45 2nd period exam

11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom

8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom

8:20 - 9:50 3rd period exam Tuesday 12/18 9:55 - 10:10 Break

10:15 - 11:45 4th period exam

11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom

8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom

8:20 - 9:50 5th period exam Wednesday 12/19 9:55 - 10:10 Break

10:15 - 11:45 Homeroom exam

11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom

Teacher Work Day Thursday 12/20 8:00 - 3:00 NO SCHOOL

Have a great

Winter Break!

DECEMBER 21 to JANUARY 4

Second Semester Begins January 7

Senior Holiday

Party

Dear Senior Parents,

With final exams, basketball, ACT and SAT preparation,

and holiday shopping, the class of 2013 is feeling incredibly

over-scheduled. In order to ease the anxiety, they have asked for the

holiday party to be rescheduled next semester when the stress of the

season is only a memory.

The seniors would like to thank the Isons for offering to open

their home to host the party.

As we have already made a commitment for Toys for Tots

from the senior class, I would like to invite all seniors who have

not already contributed to the drive to bring an unwrapped toy

into their homeroom this week for a group donation early

next week.

Sincerely,

Ashley, Ryan, and Nathan

College Acceptances

Congratulations

Jake Neuber on his acceptance to Ole Miss, Auburn

University, and University of Alabama

Simon Hirschhorn on his acceptance to Southern

Polytechnic State University, Queens University of

Charlotte, Georgia College & New College of Florida

Davey Ison on his acceptance to The University of

Alabama.

Desi Levan on her acceptance to Brevard Community

College

Evan Robertson on his acceptance to Young Harris College,

Mars Hill College, Queens University of Charlotte and

Limestone College

Chip Sheffield on his acceptance to Southern Polytechnic

State University